Reno
Premium
join:2008-10-26
Keller, TX
| Weed Eaters Mine broke. In the morning I need to go grab a new one, and I want to get away from electric cord ones. My closest choices are Home Depot and Lowes. Sears is a little far away.
My yard is only like .20 of an acre. I don't really need anything fancy but I do have an Echo stick edger. That thing is awesome. I don't even drain the tank on it over the winter and it always starts after a couple of pulls. But, a Echo weed eater is overkill and I'd be looking at $250-300. I like knowing those things don't break though.
Otherwise - a cheaper gas brand that is durable or maybe even a rechargable one? One thing I never understood is how to wind a dual cord spool. Is it that much more of a pain than hand winding a single cord spool?
Thanks! | |
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koma3504
Advocate
Premium
join:2004-06-22
North Richland Hills, TX | Re: Weed Eaters Get a home lite with a straight pole. If you buy good twine just wrap both in the same direction at the same time on a duel spool its easist that way. | |
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cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| I really like my Ryobi string trimer. It's a dual spool, straight shaft, 2 cycle trimmer. Never have had any problems with in in over 5 years with very minimal maintenance ever required. Winding the dual spools also is pretty easy. There are little notches that help hold the line while your are inserting it, and the process of inserting and twisting it into place pops the lines right where they need to be. | |
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 | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Weed Eaters said by cdru  :I really like my Ryobi string trimer. It's a dual spool, straight shaft, 2 cycle trimmer. Never have had any problems with in in over 5 years with very minimal maintenance ever required. Winding the dual spools also is pretty easy. There are little notches that help hold the line while your are inserting it, and the process of inserting and twisting it into place pops the lines right where they need to be. I'll second the Ryobi. I got the straight shaft one and it does the job well. Plus, you can add attachments later of you want like an extension chainsaw. | |
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TheMG
join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB
·TELUS
| said by Reno :One thing I never understood is how to wind a dual cord spool. Is it that much more of a pain than hand winding a single cord spool? Very easy once you get the hang of it. I could do it with my eyes closed. Granted, I've done commercial lawn maintenance as a job the previous 3 summers.
On the trimmers we had, you cut a length of string long enough to fill the spool about 3/4 full, feed the string into one of the little holes/holder inside the spool halfway so you have equal lengths on either side. Now grab both halves of the string and wind it up in the indicated direction until you have about 5-10 inches left. Insert each end of the string into the slots on both sides of the spool, feed it through the holes and lock the spool into place. Give both ends a quick tug to release them from the slots.
The biggest mistake people tend to make when winding dual string trimmers is they cut up two separate lengths of string. No need for that. Also when using only one piece of string, you'll save more as it will last until all that is left is about a 5 inch piece. | |
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Speedy Petey
join:2008-01-19
| I tend to stay away from big stores whenever possible.
I would MUCH rather keep my neighbors in business than help out with a CEO's multi-million dollar bonus.
Look for a local hardware store or garden center that sells Stihl or Husqvarna. You may not be able to get one for $49, but my own opinion is that is not the only issue.
I got an extra string trimmer for my wife to use. It is a low end Stihl unit with an EZ-start pull string. It was about $150 and works like a dream. I use that thing more than my $400 Husky straight shaft killer machine. | |
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Pacrat
Old and Cranky
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-10
Cortland, OH
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| I have a twin-string, straight-shaft, Homelite that I'm satisfied with. Starts up pretty easily and the string spool is divided into two sections... one for each string. It does a decent job and is fairly easy to manipulate. The balance is pretty good and it's not too heavy. It, too, asks you to pre-measure the replacement line into 9' sections before winding so as not too overload the head and screw up the string auto advance. Seems to work out pretty well. I think I paid about $130 for it at Lowe's a few years ago.
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I was born at night... but not last night! | |
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Reno
Premium
join:2008-10-26
Keller, TX
| I'm about to leave and right now after reading a lot and look for a price range that's a good deal below the $399 Echo high end I'm really liking this one:
Husqvarna 128L 28cc 2-Stroke Smart Start Straight Shaft String Trimmer
»www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p···age=none | |
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jlachowin
join:2008-05-29
Milwaukee, WI | Also, that Husqvarna is 28cc, might be a little quieter but I don't see the point spending $100 more for the same tool. Go troy built! | |
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| Speedy Petey
join:2008-01-19
| Re: Weed Eaters said by jlachowin :Also, that Husqvarna is 28cc, might be a little quieter but I don't see the point spending $100 more for the same tool. Other than the quality. | |
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| | xrayman
join:2008-12-09
Kansas City, MO
| Re: Weed Eaters I have been using a Ryobi 31cc straight shaft trimmer for the last 4 years. It is used only for general trimming around my home and is only used at the most two times each month during the lawn mowing season here in Missouri. The first year it worked ok, but it did have to be warmed up for some time before the choke could be moved to the full open position. The second year the choke had to stay in the half-on position just to keep it running at full speed. The plastic needle valve carb adjustments were unable to correct the lean condition. The third year power output diminished noticeably, along with the same lean carb problem. The fourth year (this year) it was very hard to start and did not want to idle.
Yesterday was only the third time I used it this year. It was very hard to start and keep running. I got about half of my trimming completed when I had to stop to refuel. After that I was never able to restart the unit. It has a new sparkplug, fresh fuel and correct oil mix. I can see a good spark on the plug tip with the sparkplug removed. The primer bulb is full of fuel and has no problem pumping up fresh fuel. Needless to say I am in search of a replacement trimmer.
The trimmer I had before the Ryobi was a refurbished Homelite curved shaft unit. It cost only $60 and lasted over 13 years. The Homelite just worked and worked with only normal maintenance. I replaced the string head several times with OEM ones and third party heads. In the end it just had no power and had many parts that were just flat wore out.
At this time after much research I am considering two units a Husqvarna and a Stihl. The last chainsaw I purchased two years ago was a Husqvarna, it has been the best chainsaw I have ever used. It is a very well engineered unit with very good power and no problems. I use the saw to cut about four cords of firewood each year. Because of my good luck with the Husqvarna chainsaw I am leaning toward the Husqvarna 128L 28cc 2-Stroke Smart Start Straight Shaft String Trimmer. On the other hand the Stihl is used by many people for home and commercial use in my area. It is well supported with local sales of parts and service. Comments and advice welcome. | |
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Dandylion
@cgocable.net
| The Ryobi 31cc is the same as the other MTDs. I picked up a factory reconditioned YardMachines 31cc straight shaft 5 years ago for $75 and it runs great. Finding a used/broken one for parts might be difficult: model airplane guys seem to love them.
I grabbed a factory reconditioned Poulan Pro curved shaft last month for $60. It has the mid-shaft attachment for various add-on pieces. I want the chain saw and I'm considering the tiller (each one will probably cost more than I paid for the trimmer). | |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | I've got that 31cc Ryobi too. Heck it could be on sale for $100 for fathers day.
Starts every time, 7 pumps on the primer, hold the choke, Bingo! | |
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Reno
Premium
join:2008-10-26
Keller, TX
| I flip flopped all over the place and ended up getting the $199 Husqvarna 128L. I also went ahead and got a Husqvarna blower. Now I'm totally cord free (I'm excited - freaking cords  ).
Here's something funny. From the Husqvarna 128L manual,
Every day you are suppose to:
-check the bevel grease level
Every week you are suppose to:
clean the air filter
Every month you are suppose to do this:
-Replace fuel filter
-Replace air filter
-Replace spark plug
I'm sorry and maybe I'm an idiot, but that's all stuff I do once a year (replace three parts every month my left check!). | |
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Tursiops_G
Technoid
Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-06
Norwalk, CT
clubs:
·Optimum Online
| Re: Weed Eaters said by Reno :I flip flopped all over the place and ended up getting the $199 Husqvarna 128L. I also went ahead and got a Husqvarna blower. Now I'm totally cord free (I'm excited - freaking cords ). Here's something funny. From the Husqvarna 128L manual, Every day you are suppose to: -check the bevel grease level Every week you are suppose to: clean the air filter Every month you are suppose to do this: -Replace fuel filter -Replace air filter -Replace spark plug I'm sorry and maybe I'm an idiot, but that's all stuff I do once a year (replace three parts every month my left check!). Those maintenance recommendations are for when it's used for Hours on end, on a Daily basis (as in a Commercial Business)... 
For Homeowner use, I'd say that Once a Year would be sufficient. 
-Tursiops_G.
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If You're Unsure, "RTFM"... If You're SURE, "RTFM" Anyway. | |
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jinjimbob
Troy Mcclure
join:2001-11-13 | Home Depot also sells Toro ones for less than $70, I have used one for 2 years. | |
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linicx
Caveat Emptor
Premium
join:2002-12-03
United State
·CenturyLink
| Great luck with Stihl weed eater. They are pricey but last a really long time and can be repaired easily by any Stihl dealer.
For ladies, the cheap Weed Wacker electric does a very good job for what it is.
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Mac: No windows, No Gates, Apple inside | |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | Since someone resuscitated this thread I saw where HD had the Ryobi on sale for $99 with and additional head. | |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX
| Re: Weed Eaters said by Rxdoxx :And I can add that the string units were a constant source of frustration for me. Seemed like I was always spending lots of time trying to get functioning again. Finally found something like the above pix and haven't looked back. Mine has axle pins not screws holding the blades. I do break off part of the blade if I'm not careful around edging, but even 1/2 a blade still cuts, so I don't have to stop. And I was at the dollar store and spotted packs of the blades, so I'm cheaply supplied for a long long time. You know I tried 1 of those a few years back and didn't like it at all.
That's why they different things for different people and applications. | |
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| | | xrayman
join:2008-12-09
Kansas City, MO
| Re: Weed Eaters In the past I have use the hard plastic blades in place of the standard string head. They are great at cutting a tall out of control weed patch. But for general trimming around foundations and walks they get broken very quickly. Also they will chew up plastic edging around flower beds. | |
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